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captwinghead's review against another edition
5.0
"I thought you were actually upset! I thought you were going to murder me in my sleep or -- or cry.
"Don't be ridiculous," she said. "I'd never cry."
I really, really, really liked this book. Honestly, I adored Hannah and found her incredibly relatable. She's a sweetheart who manages her anxiety and stress through constant preparedness for literally anything that might come her way. Which, of course, is harder for her to do when Nate Davis comes back in her life. Unlike me but incredibly admirable, she is wonderful with children. She's incredibly patient and never talks down to them. She's kind to Rae, a new person in town that's being ostracized because she has scars on her face. Hannah also suffers from depression and I'll get to that.
As with all of Hibbert's love interests, I adored Nate. Fascinatingly, he isn't like the others aside from being tall and covered in tattoos. He's a photographer, a widower and a father of two children. Whenever there's a misunderstanding between Hannah and he, he never lets it fester. He fixes most things within an hour which is not only impressive and unexpected, it's incredibly attractive. He's always so concerned with making sure he never makes Hannah feel the slightest bit uncomfortable and I loved him a lot.
I really loved Nate and Hannah's chemistry. Hibbert managed to create an atmosphere of unresolved sexual tension that you can really sink your teeth into. Hannah is technically employed by Nate as the nanny and he doesn't want to ever inadvertently pressure her into entering into a relationship with him - and even so, they fall in love. I really loved how much emphasis was placed on consent in this story. I really loved the resolution, as well.
The stuff with both Hannah and Nate's mothers was handled very well. Honestly, a lot of the heavier stuff really worked for me. Nate's speech to Hannah about what it feels like to be depressed was not only incredibly moving (I may have cried), but it was incredibly relatable to me. As someone who's suffered with depression for most of my life, I completely understood what he was saying.
"I should take care of myself," Nate said. "I should talk to someone. I should laugh with the kids and really mean it. I should take a minute to breathe and feel the air moving inside my lungs. I know these things, and that just makes it worse, because I also know that I'm not going to do it. It's like sitting in front of a wall -- one you can see right through -- and on the other side is the person you should be.".
As with Hibbert's other books that I've read, the sex scenes are incredibly hot, as well. This is a clear recommend from me. Honestly, I can't think of any other books save Tamaki's Hulk book that did such a great job portraying the different ways depression can manifest in other people. And I got that plus a black bisexual female character I related to on several levels. It's a wonderful story, the chemistry is great and I can totally see myself reading it again.
ourxstorybegins's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shaaay's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
aromarrie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
me not realizing nate & hannah’s romance could technically be categorized under forbidden love + that other characters would ever possibly think nate could take advantage of hannah……when she has him completely wrapped around her finger??? …..okay. they were sweet
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Abandonment, Death, and Car accident
cakeisalie27's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
daydreamingreview's review against another edition
4.0
3.5★
this one did not hook me as much as the first one did, however I still really enjoyed it.
I am always here for a single dad x nanny romance and the tension between these two delivered for sure!
I connect with alot of thinking that Hannah does theough this story so I enjoyed her character and I love that Talia Hibbert writes women who take no one's shit. Great series!!
this one did not hook me as much as the first one did, however I still really enjoyed it.
I am always here for a single dad x nanny romance and the tension between these two delivered for sure!
I connect with alot of thinking that Hannah does theough this story so I enjoyed her character and I love that Talia Hibbert writes women who take no one's shit. Great series!!
lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
He held her tight. Their lips met. It felt like drinking down devotion.
Why is Talia Hibbert so good at romance?!
To answer my own question real quick: it's because she's really really fantastically good at characters and emotion, and very especially at writing people with anxiety and depression and social disorders and showing those people falling in love and finding happiness. Hannah and Nate are such good, complex, fun, sweet characters, but I love them mostly because I feel so SEEN. I never look for such spot on descriptions of anxiety in a romance novel, but this is what Talia Hibbert gives me. With a wonderful happy ending, which is, lbr, the most important thing for me. I especially loved Nate's disgust at the thought of people discussing and thinking about him, Hannah arguing with herself in her mind, the descriptions of grief and depression... all so good!!
I think I'm making the book sound very heavy, which it kinda was, but not really? I mean it's about a single widower dad with two cute kids coming back to his hometown and falling for his sexy nanny (and the power imbalance there isn't ignored). There are light, sweet and fun moments aplenty. Hannah's properness made me smile many many times (especially every time she whispered the word 'sex'). Nate is such a good dude. And again for being seen: I don't think I've ever before read a book where a black woman sits on the floor in front of her mother to get her hair combed? I LOVED IT. Also if you like het sex you'll be in heaven, this was pretty steamy.
Why is Talia Hibbert so good at romance?!
To answer my own question real quick: it's because she's really really fantastically good at characters and emotion, and very especially at writing people with anxiety and depression and social disorders and showing those people falling in love and finding happiness. Hannah and Nate are such good, complex, fun, sweet characters, but I love them mostly because I feel so SEEN. I never look for such spot on descriptions of anxiety in a romance novel, but this is what Talia Hibbert gives me. With a wonderful happy ending, which is, lbr, the most important thing for me. I especially loved Nate's disgust at the thought of people discussing and thinking about him, Hannah arguing with herself in her mind, the descriptions of grief and depression... all so good!!
I think I'm making the book sound very heavy, which it kinda was, but not really? I mean it's about a single widower dad with two cute kids coming back to his hometown and falling for his sexy nanny (and the power imbalance there isn't ignored). There are light, sweet and fun moments aplenty. Hannah's properness made me smile many many times (especially every time she whispered the word 'sex'). Nate is such a good dude. And again for being seen: I don't think I've ever before read a book where a black woman sits on the floor in front of her mother to get her hair combed? I LOVED IT. Also if you like het sex you'll be in heaven, this was pretty steamy.